Testing device for jump-spark ignition systems.



T. H. ESTES. TESTING DEVICE FOR JUMP SPARK IGNITION SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED 0OT.28, 1912.

1,084,932, Patented Jan. 20, 1914.

fl afia l i l l l Attorneys THOMAS HENRY ESTES, OF TEXARKANA, TEXAS.

TESTING DEVICE FOR J UMP-SPARK IGNITION SYSTEMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 20, 1914.

Application filed October 28, 1912. Serial No. 728,301.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS H. Esrns, a citizen of the United States,residing at- Texarkana, in the county of Bowie and State of Texas, haveinvented a new and useful Testing Device for Jump-Spark IgnitionSystems, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in testing devices forjump spark ignition systems, as are especially applied to explosiveengines, the primary object of the invention being the provision of asimple device whereby the spark plugs and cylinders of an explosiveengine may be properly tested to locate a short circuit or brokenconductor, the same being so constructed that such testing operation maybe carried on without the necessity of stopping the engine.

IVith the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within thescope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

In the drawingsFigure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of thecomplete device. Fig. 2 is a cross section taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.Fig. 3 is a detailed View of the metal member carried by the device.Fig. 4 is an electrical diagram showing the use of the present device.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a handle which ismade of an insulating material and is provided at one end with theconcentrically disposed socket 2 for the reception of the metaldetecting member 3. This member 3 is preferably made of copper wire, andis bent upon itself to form the two parallel members 4 for insertionwithin the socket 2 of the handle, the normal tension of the members toseparate retaining the detecting member within the handle so that thesame may be readily manipulated, as will presently appear. One straightterminal 5 is employed and extends in a substantially axial line fromthe handle and is provided upon its outer end with the platinum point 6,while a right angled arm 7 is disposed away from and at substantiallyright angles to the axial center line of the handle 1 and is providedupon its end with a terminal 8 which is disposed in parallel with theterminal 5 and carries upon its outer end a platinum point 9.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings itis evident that with a device of the present construction, that shortcircuiting or ignition trouble may be located in the ignition circuit,as shown in Fig. 4, by placing either one of the points 6 or 9 incont-act with the wire leading to the spark plug while the other contact9 or 6 is disposed in engagement with the cylinder. It is also evidentthat this testing operation may be carried on during the running of theengine and that the trouble may be located very quickly.

What is claimed is:

1. In a detecting device of this character, a handle of insulatingmaterial having a concentrically disposed socket in one end and adetector member made of a single strand of wire and bent to form asupporting shank for insertion within the socket of the handle andhaving two parallel and spaced bridging terminals.

2. In a detecting device of this character, having a handle composed ofinsulating material and provided with a concentric socket in one endthereof, and a metal detecting member made from a. single strand of wireand having one straight terminal, a portion of which is insertiblewithin the socket of the handle, and a compound curved terminal aportion of which is parallel and co-extensive with the socket engagingportion of the first terminal and insertible within said socket.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixedmy signa ture in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS HENRY ESTES. Witnesses:

T. S. EDWARDS, L. M. BROOKS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

